Uruguay - Updates to the Low Voltage Regulation and Digital Certificates Implementation

Written by: Daniela Tejeda – Regulatory Program Expert

URSEA Resolution 131/2009 contains the mandatory safety regulation of low voltage electrical products to comply with for Uruguay.

On June 16, 2020, the Regulatory Unit of Energy and Water Services (URSEA) published Resolution 153/020 containing an amendment to the previous resolution (131/2009) in terms of products covered under the mandatory safety certification. These include:

• Electric refrigeration appliances for household use whose nominal voltage is not more than 250 V for appliances single-phase or 480 V for the other appliances, including refrigerators with or without frozen food storage compartment, refrigerator freezer, appliances for storing frozen food and freezers, free or not of frost.
• Exclusions: Icemakers incorporating a motor-compressor and icemakers intended to be incorporated in frozen food preservative compartments. Also not included are refrigerators and icemakers for use in camps, caravans and pleasure boats.

The applicable standard for testing is UNIT-IEC 60335-2-24:2010 "Electric refrigeration appliances for domestic and similar use." This resolution came into play on January 1, 2020. 

In addition to this, on Aug. 17, 2020, URSEA published Resolution 170/2020 that enables the digital certificates procedure for electrical safety mandatory certification in the framework of the Low Voltage Electrical Product Safety Regulation. This new procedure will come into force on April 1, 2021.

Also, on Aug. 17, 2020, URSEA published Resolution 169/2020 that updates the date to enable the digital certificates procedure for energy efficiency label authorization. This new procedure will come into force on Dec. 1, 2020.

Therefore, all electrical energy efficiency certificates, label and safety certificates will be verified and approved for commercialization from the enforcement date only through the digital platform according to the format and procedures established by URSEA.

Note: A registration with Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior (VUCE) is required before starting the electronic procedure for safety certificates authorization.